Survival of the Artist One year later, clay artists impacted by Hurricane Katrina reflect on how their lives have changed

摘要

One year later, the memories of 130 mile-per-hour winds, 30-foot storm surges, and the levy breaches caused by Hurricane Katrina have yet to escape the minds of those in the Gulf Coast region. As a result of Hurricane Katrina's impact in late August 2005, many organizations have come together to provide aid to the region. Despite dwindling media coverage of the area, individuals and organizations continue to participate in the slow upward battle of rebuilding the region. "It's a commitment for a long haul," explained Cornelia Carey, Executive Director of Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). "We are continuing to raise visibility and funds ... The focus is on rebuilding," she continued. During the year since Katrina's landfall, CERF has provided craft artists with more than 200,000 dollars of emergency relief, including loans, grants, materials, and equipment. CERF is not alone in their efforts. Organizations such as Alliance of Artist Communities, the Southern Arts Federation, Louisiana Partnership for the Arts, and the Pollack-Krasner Foundation are contributing to the redevelopment of the Gulf region and, more specifically, aiding the artists who for years have contributed to the rich culture of the area.